RIVELLINO BACK FOR “GOLDEN GOAL”

CLASSY colt Rivellino returns to racing at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow with a “golden goal”.

Odds-on favorite to be named Newcastle Jockey Club’s 2YO Of The Year for the season just gone, leading trainer Kris Lees is ready to begin Rivellino’s three-year-old season in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m).

Jason Collett, who has ridden the Too Darn Hot youngster only once in a race when he won the Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on March 1, returns as his jockey.

Collett was aboard Rivellino when he ran home stylishly to finish third to ruling The Everest third favorite Briasa (who won Newcastle’s $1m The Hunter last November) in a 900m Canterbury trial on August 18.

Rivellino ran an excellent fourth (after being slowly away) in the Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill three weeks after the Skyline, and is one of five horses who ran in the Group 1 feature lining up in the San Domenico.

“Kris is very happy with Rivellino,” stable spokesman Danny Greer said this morning.

“His two trials have brought him on nicely, and he is ready to go to the races and run well.

“He should get a nice run from his inside draw.

“All going well, the Golden Rose is his target.”

Carrying a $1m purse, the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) for three-year-olds at set weights will be run at Rosehill on September 27.

The Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) there on September 13 fits in nicely between the San Domenico and the colt’s major target.

Lees also resumes Provincial-Midway Championships Final runner-up Lord Of Biscay in tomorrow’s Benchmark 88 Handicap (1200m).

“Lord Of Biscay has drawn poorly, but has James McDonald to hopefully help him get a good run in transit,” Greer said.

“He is also shaping up nicely, and Kris will plan a program for him leading up to the $3m Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick in early November.

“He became eligible by easily winning the Ballina Cup (1590m) in January.”

Lees also accepted with El Jasor in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill tomorrow, but has withdrawn him.

“El Jasor was floated overnight to our Gold Coast stable, and will join our other runner Barazin in a Benchmark 90 Handicap (2200m) at Eagle Farm tomorrow,” Greer said.

“Andrew Mallyon rides Barazin, and Kris is yet to finalise a rider for El Jasor.

“Barazin is racing well, and El Jasor is fitter following two runs this preparation.”

Mallyon also rides Dream Hour in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm.

“Dream Hour has had only the run back (at Randwick on July 26), and Andrew has had a bit to do with him since Kris sent to him to the Gold Coast, and is happy with how he is going,” Greer said.

“Dream Hour likes Eagle Farm, where he won The Gateway in December 2023 and was placed twice there earlier in the year.”

Story John Curtis, August 29, 2025